Dodgers Notebook: Veterans giving Yasiel Puig guidance

The Dodgers' veterans are happily accepting the trade-off, but as Yasiel Puig's legend continues to grow so does their responsibility.

Whether it's his youth, lack of knowledge or "swag," Jerry Hairston Jr.'s preferred terminology, Puig's behavior is creating increasing friction around the league. In six weeks in the major leagues his aggressive style has certainly drawn the ire of opponents and perhaps created some tension in the Dodgers' own clubhouse. The media hasn't been shy with its mounting criticism of the 22-year-old Cuban rookie, whose baseball etiquette has come into question recently.

Who is often left to shoulder the responsibility for steering Puig in the right direction? Veteran players like Adrian Gonzalez, Juan Uribe and Hairston.

"I think his success, his attention, for some people, especially on other teams, it may rub them the wrong way or they might be a little jealous," Hairston said. "Obviously he's a little exuberant. I don't mind players that have some swag to them, you know, have confidence. You have to have that in this game, but at the end of the day you want to make sure he plays the game the right way and we take on some responsibility for that."

The responsibility is not only to guide Puig, but to defend his actions when the growing scrutiny is unwarranted.

Uribe engaged in a spirited discussion with Pedro Gomez before Thursday's game following the ESPN reporter's less than flattering piece on Puig's interaction, or lack thereof, with former Arizona Diamondbacks great Luis Gonzalez earlier this week, among a list of other things.

The 34-year-old third baseman, a Dominican Republic native whose interaction with Puig isn't hindered by the language barrier, has also said plenty to Puig.

"I try to tell him the right things about the game," Uribe said. "And he's a good person. He listens to me. He listens to everybody."

Ellis has thrown out 54 percent of runners attempting to steal this season, the best percentage in baseball of anyone with at least 20 attempts. Ellis has allowed 17 stolen bases and thrown out 20 would-be base stealers.

Tim Federowicz ranks just behind Ellis, having thrown out 53.8 percent of runners attempting to steal, but the Dodgers backup catcher has thrown out just seven runners this season.

The deadline for major-league teams to sign the amateur players they drafted in June has come and gone. The Dodgers signed 28 of their 40 draft picks, including the first 12.

The highest Dodger draft pick not to sign was 13th-rounder Ty Damron, a Texas high schooler who has committed to Texas Tech University.

On patrol

Beating the deadline

Also...

Outfielder Carl Crawford was a late scratch from the lineup with back stiffness... Ted Lilly, out with a strained neck, was "pretty good," according to Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, on Friday when throwing a second 25-pitch simulated game.